Project Nursery » Furniture

Light Up My Life

Rebecca — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:41:59 +0000

A lot of thought goes into the details of your kid’s room such as…what bedding to buy? what color to paint? what art to display? The list goes on and on so I thought I would bring to “light” a few picks for some overhead fixtures. This may be a little bit of a splurge, but so worth the impact. The lighting you choose will set the mood and also add some great eye candy for you and your little munchkin to gaze upon…

Photo Collage: 1. Whoopsie Daisey Chandelier – Land of Nod 2. Pretty in Pink Chandelier – Lamps Plus 3. Ella Chandelier – Pottery Barn Kids 4. Angelica Hanging Lamp – Rosenberry Rooms 5. Hangin’ Around Lamp – Land of Nod 6.Cobblestone Cylinder Pendant – Rosenberry Rooms 7. Capiz Chandelier – Pottery Barn Teen 8. Makayla White Pendant Lamp – Posh Tots 9. Swag Style Chandelier – Lamps Plus 10. Chocolate and White Drum Pendant – Stray Dog Designs 11. Luther Hanging Lamp – Rosenberry Rooms

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About The Author:
Rebecca resides in Gilbert, AZ. She is an interior designer by trade, owner of Fresh Chick Design Studio and full time mom to Brandt and his baby brother Blake.

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Real Rooms: Modern Baby’s Tangerine & Grey

Little Apple Design SF — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:24:41 +0000

It’s no secret that Melisa and I both have a pretty big obsession with the color grey these days. It’s such a cool color (literally and figuratively) and is often an interesting alternative neutral to cream or white. Our good bud Jesseca over at The Modern Baby Co. just completed the nursery for her daughter, who is set to arrive in a few weeks, and we are so thrilled she went with the grey!

As her inspiration she chose the color palette of pink, tangerine and grey with accents of white to create a serene and beautiful backdrop. The birch tree wall mural is to die for and of course we appreciate the clean and sophisticated accessories such as the butterfly mobile she designed herself. In fact, Jesseca is quite crafty and took on several DIY projects to complete the room. Here are all the details on this modern and peaceful nursery which we are sure you will enjoy.

What was your inspiration for your daughters nursery?

As the mother of two young boys, I was first and foremost deeply inspired by the simple and exciting fact we are having a baby girl. Our love for modern, clean, sophisticated design, pretty and unique color schemes and natural elements also inspired our decor choices.

Do you have a favorite element?

My favorite element of this space is the birch tree wall mural that my husband and I created together. We spent an afternoon searching through online galleries, books and magazines for inspiration. We came across this design and fell in love, both agreeing it was the perfect fit for the space. I painted the wall a beautiful soft grey and my husband created tree stencils using 2″ painters tape and his talent for free drawing. I then painted in the stencils with white paint, let it dry and pulled away the tape. Perfection.

Any DIY projects you took on to complete the room?

Besides the wall mural, I also made the bedding, pillows, softies and paper butterfly mobile.

Where did you splurge and where did you save?

Because we enjoy DIY, because we already owned the majority of the furniture and because I own The Modern Baby Co., we really were able to pull this space together for minimal cost. The only piece we really splurged on was the Eames rocker reproduction, which is by far my favorite piece of furniture in the room.

Details on the nursery: sources, retail stores, paint colors, bedding, etc.

Color scheme: pink, tangerine, grey and white. Animal Mini Art Prints and birch Butterfly Mobile: The Modern Baby Co.. Crib bedding fabric: Nicey Jane. Crib, dresser, shelves and hanging paper lantern: IKEA. Rocking chair: Baxton Studio. Bedding, pillows, softies and paper butterfly mobile: made by Jesseca. Canvas art: Painted by big brothers. Wooden toys and books: flea market, thrift stores and friends.

Share your comments about this room and see more great parent designed projects on PN’s Real Rooms & Parties Gallery!

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About The Author:
Pam lives in San Francisco, CA and is expecting baby number three later this year. She is partner in Little Apple Design, a children's interior design firm specializing in e-design inspiration boards.

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Shop Our Editors’ Picks

Melisa — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:28:00 +0000

Check out our new Editors’ Picks page by Pam and Melisa. We are trying something a little bit different here. It’s filled with great items we genuinely own and love. Have a question about something? Just ask. We hope you enjoy these products as much as we do. And don’t forget to visit often as we add to our list of favorites!

SHOP NOW

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About The Author: Melisa resides in Los Angeles, CA. Mom to two little active boys Austin & Chase and partner in Little Apple Design, a children's interior design firm specializing in e-design inspiration boards.

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Giveaway: The Hushamok (psst…a $600 value!)

Melisa — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:02:52 +0000

If your familiar with our fabulous Friday giveaways, you know that we seldom brag about the value of a product within the title just to grab your attention. But this week’s giveaway is so HUGE, we simply couldn’t resist and most importantly, we don’t want you to miss out!

Last year, Pam introduced you to the Hushamok, a revolutionary breakthrough in infant sleep comfort. Since then, we’ve had the opportunity to witness the Hushamok first hand in a friend’s home. Its presence was like a piece of art that elegantly stood within the living room. Polar opposite to the primary colored plastic junk that currently sits in mine. The Hushamok’s modern design is simply stunning – just take a look below. And it’s ability to help sooth a colicky baby – priceless.

Whether you’re a minimalist, modernist, or traditionalist the Okoa base takes the beauty of Hushamok to a whole new level. This unique solid wood stand is constructed with sustainable European beech wood and detailed with aluminum castings. The Okoa can be used with both the Hushamok baby hammock and MySeat. Made with modern and eco-friendly materials, this beautiful piece of nursery furniture will instill a feeling of timeless beauty that will be used for generations.

The folks a Hushamok know how important newborn sleep is for you and your baby. This essential piece of modern furniture offers a soothing natural motion that is proven to create restful sleep for babies. Baby hammocks are an alternative to the traditional bassinet offering the next best thing to the womb with its natural swinging and rocking motion that induces sleep in babies – ideal for babies that suffer from infant colic and reflux.

Each set comes complete with a baby hammock in un-dyed organic cotton, mattress, 2 matching fitted sheets, and a leafspring. New for 2010 is the added feature of using the Hushamok baby hammock without a stand. Each baby hammock set comes complete with all necessary hardware for easy installation.

MySeat is Hushamok’s commitment to provide long lasting eco-friendly baby furniture. While the Hushamok baby hammock continues to offer babies the best in newborn sleep, MySeat is nursery furniture designed for “awake time”. MySeat can be used for babies as they become more alert and interactive (approximately 12 weeks old). While MySeat is not a baby swing, with its natural movement it’s ideal for babies. The removable tether, neck support, and harness system ensure baby is secured safely and makes it easy to adjust for older children. Please Note: The MySeat must be used with a Hushamok stand.

WIN IT! Project Nursery is giving away one Huskamok Organic Baby Hammock and Okoa Stand valued at $600! to help sooth your child to sleep. Visit Hushamok’s website and share with use your thoughts about this modern day, eco-friendly invention. Are you as excited as we are? Contest ends Friday July 16th at 11:59 PST. US residents only.

EXTRA ENTRIES
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*Please comment separately for each on this post.

CONTEST CLOSED – Congrats Kaosong!

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Play Tables: Priced to “Fit”

Rebecca — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:28:28 +0000

Designing your kid’s play space is just as important as designing their bedroom. Whether it is a room all in its own, or an extension of another space, this is an area that promotes imagination, creativity and fun! One of the most important and substantial pieces is their very own kid-sized table and chairs. Here are three different sets ranging from the savvy spender to the bigger budgeted. These tables are a perfect jumping off point to set the stage for any new play space!

Here pictured from IKEA is the Mammut Collection, sold as individual pieces but priced as shown will run you well under $100…Only $67.00! Bright, cheery, and a bargain!

Next is this adorable set, the RiverRidge Collection from Target. Sold individually also, but priced out as shown at $110.00 for four stools and the table…Such a deal! Hip, fun and a fab find for just north the $100 price point.

Lastly, this funky, mod and functional Mojo Collection is from Land of Nod. Although this set is the spendiest of the three, it runs about $715.00 for four chairs, a table, and storage bin. The table height is adjustable so as your little ones grow, so does the height of the table.

There are so many great options out there, these are just a few that I wanted to showcase. So, if you have any of the sets pictured or other ones that are just as fabulous, please share!

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About The Author:
Rebecca resides in Gilbert, AZ. She is an interior designer by trade, owner of Fresh Chick Design Studio and full time mom to Brandt and his baby brother Blake.

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Hawken’s Nursery by Anyon: A.K.A. Mom

Little Apple Design SF — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 21:04:01 +0000

San Francisco Interior designer and owner of Anyon Interior Design, Lindsay Brier, recently acquired a new and very important client, her son Hawken. When Lindsay learned she was expecting a baby boy she quickly went into designer mode and started to plan the nursery. She was eager to make her son’s room a cohesive part of their home in both color and style . We adore the soft gray stripes (it’s no coincidence my son’s name is Gray), orange accents and roman shade details in Hawken’s lovely new nursery. Lindsay shared all the details on how she created this inviting space and she even gave Project Nursery a few of her favorite design tips!

Inspiration behind the room

I had it in my mind that I wanted the nursery to have an aqua blue and raspberry color palette, when we found out we were expecting a boy I tweaked the raspberry color to more of a deep orange. Then I added in some gray, honey khaki and white which are found throughout our home.

I wanted it to be fresh but also a calming space. I achieved this by having some modern pieces but warming it up with some vintage finds. I also wanted it to be fun but not overly “babyish”. Actually none of the furnishings in the room besides the crib are from children or baby furniture collections.

Favorite aspect of the room

I love the striped walls, they are inviting and guide your eye around the room. Also love the roman shades, the small graphic color print compliments the larger scale and more neutral stripes.

Design trends Incorporated into the room

Custom walls, stripes, mix of high and low end design, contemporary and vintage pieces (vintage: Asian antique bench, tin waste can with collegiate pendants found at flea market, orange tin and orange vintage toys)

Splurges

Serena and Lily bedding that anchored the color scheme, the roman shades, the custom wall painting, the crib (for safety reasons) and the armchair (wanted it to be comfortable for late night feedings and a cozy place to read a story together)

Saves

I needed some extra storage but didn’t want to spend a lot on an armoire. I found a plain one at IKEA and personalized it with ceramic globe knobs from Pottery Barn Kids.

Details of the room

* Custom horizontal painted stripes – Benjamin Moore Aura Paint

* Roman shades -custom with Quadrille fabric

* Various prints & original art -black and white photography – a gift from my husband, he shot the photos on our honeymoon in Tanzania

* Glider armchair armchair- custom, from the Sherrill Collection, upholstered in stain resistant Perennials fabric

* Crib – Restoration Hardware

* Bookcases – Pottery Barn

* Antique wood bench – purchased from antique market

* Natural Jute Rug – Pottery Barn

* Armoire – IKEA

* West Elm Dresser with changing table topper from Land of Nod

* Serena and Lily Bedding and Pillow

* Antique child’s chair

Project Nursery Exclusive Interview with Lindsay

Can you share a favorite design tip when on a tight budget?

At a second hand shop, a flea market or ebay, find a piece of furniture (with classic or funky lines depending on your taste) and repaint it. Paint it white or black and it will subtly blend in with your decor or paint it a fun color and it will instantly be the fun piece that makes a room pop.

What is your favorite non nursery find that ends up working well in the nursery?

I love using unexpected furniture that is not intended for a nursery. Also, I have fun mixing fabrics to make window treatments, crib skirts, pillows etc. that are not part of a children’s fabric collection but compliment nursery bedding. One of the most practical solutions I have found is to use cleanable outdoor fabrics for upholstery in nurseries, children’s rooms and play rooms.

What design site or blog do you look to for inspiration?

I look forward to reading Diane Dorrans Saeks’ blog. She always has her finger on the pulse of the design world and is constantly traveling and interviewing the most well known, well respected designers as well as young new talent.

As a first time mom what have been your favorite things about being mom, what have been your surprises?

Only three weeks in but so far it’s the most incredible experience of my life.

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Play Kitchens Suitable for a Boy

Andrika — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 05:59:34 +0000

It doesn’t matter if I’m cooking or not, my son loves to play with all of my pots and pans in the kitchen. He also runs up to any play kitchen that he can find at his friends’ houses and plays there for minutes at a time (we are not to hours yet). Although he is not even a year and a half, I feel like he is subliminally begging me for a play kitchen. The only issue is that kitchens suitable for a boy, aka not in pink, are hard to come by. But after quite a bit of searching I have narrowed down the search to my top five kitchen sets (non-plastic) suitable for a boy (in no particular order):

This kitchen is by Camden Rose. It is made of 100% real hard wood, no plywood, particle board, paint, or fancy colors here. My friend Chelsea likes to call this the ultimate kitchen for the hippie parent. Honestly I really like the old fashioned simplicity which will help a child use their imagination a little more.

I’m sure most of you have seen this kitchen from Ikea. It is swedish and simple with clean lines and no fuss. At the base price of $99 you really can’t go wrong. The size is small enough to fit in a child’s room and the bright colors of fake food will help brighten up the piece.

Now if you like red this is a great set from Pottery Barn Kids with a retro twist. The pieces can be purchased individually but are expensive ranging from $500-$700. What I like about this set is that it actually looks nice and is very sturdy. Every Pottery Barn Kids store has a few of these pieces on the floor and they are played with by thousands of kids everyday and still look good. Expensive but built to last.I’m not sure about the quality of this one by Guidecraft because I have not seen it in person, but it looks pretty darn cute to me. I personally love the unisex turquoise color and like the fact that you don’t have to purchase multiple pieces to have the whole kitchen. It looks like there is quite a bit of assembly required with this one so parents beware, but if you have the space for a large kitchen like this in your room or playroom this is a wonderful choice.

My personal pick (mainly because I am partial to the look of stainless steel) is this one by Kidcraft. I like that it has a low profile so that it can fit under a window and that it does not have a microwave since I don’t like them (I’m hoping to teach my son how to really cook instead of just heat up). The finish is a high gloss which will help avoid chipping and the size is just big enough so that more than one child can play at time.

Which set is your favorite? Or do you have a particular one at home that you love?

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About The Author: Andrika lives in Manhattan Beach, CA and is a mother, interior designer, and editor of Nursery Notations, a blog devoted to helping moms and designers find distinctive items for children and inspiration for their rooms.

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Stress Reliever: The Baby Planners

michellef — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:01:24 +0000

When it was time to go shopping for my freshman college dorm room I drove my poor mother insane. We must have made twelve trips to Bed Bath & Beyond before I could put one thing in the cart. I was so stressed I would forget something important, like a shower caddy or even, my lord, a stapler! Well 16 years later the therapist in me realizes that this was merely my way of dealing with the anxiety I had about leaving home. Believe it or not many expecting parents have these very same anxious feelings when picking out items for the nursery. After all, you are molding the space that your child will come home to, grow up in and one day retreat to, with the door barricaded to prevent entrance (ok, we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves). But in all seriousness, do not underestimate the intense emotions (not to mention hormones) associated with shopping for the nursery.

We don’t want to get it wrong, and in fact, we want it to be perfect for our little ones. And for that reason we need to be very conscious of how we approach the journey. A few tips: bring a friend, a mother, a sister or if you have one, an enthusiastic daddy to be. However, by all means avoid the controlling mother in law, the jealous best friend or the ‘rather be watching football’ daddy to be.

Project Nursery has a ton of great tips and trends for nursery planning but if you need some real hands on help we know the gals to go to. Ellie & Melissa, The Baby Planners, run the nation’s #1 baby concierge service. They offer a range of services that, as they say, “take the labor out of delivery.” Some of the services include Baby Registry Plans, Nursery Necessity Plans and even a Grandparent Plan! Here is a smattering of other things they do: Product Research & Demonstration • Referrals to Classes, Doulas and Doctors • Shower Planning • Postpartum Support • Pregnancy Photography • Greening Your Nursery • Birth Announcements • Infant CPR • Baby Proofing • Personal Chef • Birth Video • Car seat Installation • Pre-natal Massage • Baby Nurse • Nanny Search • Muralist • In Home Spa Services • Pre-school Placement • Parenting Consultant • Sleep Experts • Diaper Services • Dog Walkers • and so much more!

Hopefully your nursery decorating experience will be one of happiness and excitement but if it’s not remember you are not alone…ask for help so you can relax and enjoy this monumentous time.

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About The Author: Michelle resides in Upper Saddle River, NJ, with her husband, two children, Stella and Nate and Wheaton Terrier Eloise. She is the owner of Bellini Baby & Teen Furniture in Stamford, the founder of the bean’s closet, and a licensed clinical social worker.

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Nursery Culture – Retro Done Right!

LittleCrownInteriors — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:07:52 +0000

Believe it or not, a Retro Nursery is completely current today. So today, we’re sharing some easy tips for Retro Done Right. First off, we LOVE a Retro Nursery. It provides endless opportunities for priceless mementos of the past – it’s the perfect starting point for incorporating cherished memories into a special place meant to build new ones. Giving a child a sense of their past is not only important, but can also be difficult to do. So, without further ado…

Expert Tip: Mix and Match Retro pieces with Modern pieces to be sure your nursery design is timeless – no matter what decade!

Remember Your Roots: Choose artwork with a purpose. Whether it’s a family tree, or a collage of Grandma’s letters, use artwork as an opportunity to talk to your child about their history.

Geneology Tree Artwork by My Tree and Me: www.MyTreeandMe.com

Lighten Up: There are so many fun lighting options to choose from, just don’t loose focus – properly placed lighting in the nursery is key to a successful, functional, convenient room.

Miles Pendant Light by Stray Dog Designs: www.StrayDogDesigns.com

Down Time: A beautiful nursery rug is key – especially for the tender knees of new crawlers.

Bright Buds Rug by Amy Butler: www.amybutlerdesign.com

Change It Up: A great changing table can be used for years to come. Pick one you’ll love to look at everyday – through this Retro phase, and well into the next.

Savannah Changer by Masongray: www.masongraco.com

Get Cozy: We can’t stress enough the importance of a comfy nursery chair. A little time spent thinking about the memories you want to create here will pay off for generations to come.

Gus Glider by Olio Studio: www.OlioStudio.com

Have you incorporated retro or memory-based pieces into your child’s room? Do you love (or not love) the Retro look? Well, Project Nursery is more than just a place to read Nursery Culture and tons of other great blogs – it’s a community for exchanging ideas. We would love to hear your ideas: how have you made your child’s room special? And, who knows – it could be the topic of our next Nursery Culture. So please, post your comments now!

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About The Authors:
Naomi and Gerri are specialists in juvenile interior design. Based in Southern CA, the pair has designed countless nurseries and kids rooms nationwide through their company, Little Crown Interiors.

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Vlog: Stretching Your Decorating Dollar

michellef — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:52:16 +0000

I was so thrilled to be asked by ParentsTV to do a segment with Bellini giving decorating tips that help parents be economical while still creating fabulous rooms. Check out me and host Ereka Vetrini (Kidsrooms, The Apprentice, In the Loop and The Tony Danza Show) filming in Bellini NYC.

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